Brazil’s P1 coronavirus variant is mutating in ways which could possibly make it able to evade antibodies even better, suggest scientists.

Research into the variants circulating in Brazil has revealed mutations in the spike region of the virus. Scientists stated that these changes could make the virus more resistant to vaccines, which target the spike protein. This will have grave implications. According to Felipe Naveca, one of the study authors, this appears to be another escape mechanism that the virus is creating to evade the response of antibodies. Naveca added that the changes look similar to the mutations noted in the more aggressive South African variant, against which certain vaccines have been shown to have diminished efficacy… (Reuters, April 14, 2021)